In the Metroid Prime series, there are a couple indications that the space pirates find metroids cute. The first two games (and maybe the third) both have notices posted in space pirate areas saying that unauthorized feeding of metroids is not permitted, and that metroids are not pets, and I just came across a caged metroid in the second game that the scanner says has indigestion from eating pet treats and space pirate rations, which disagree with its digestive system
All pirates want a parrot.
(I wasn't aware metroids even _had_ a digestive system, but there you go)